Christmas Food—3 British Kitchen Delights

3 min read

Level: Intermediate

British food at Christmas is bland and boring…wrong, think again!

Roast turkey, vegetables and potatoes … all on one plate. Then afterwards you have a cup of tea…but if you think that’s the extent of British Christmas food then you’re very much mistaken. Over Christmas, if you visit any British home, the kitchen will be full of the many delicious smells of different dishes. British people do most of their cooking in the oven. So be prepared to be surprised by a wide range of yummy cakes, puddings, pies and of course Christmas cookies. There will also always be an extremely hot pan full of mulled wine ready for any guest. So, let’s take a look at some of the most popular Christmas food and drink in Britain…

Gingerbread Houses

Christmas will always be a really special time for all, but especially for children. Children love baking biscuits. And at Christmas we love to bake gingerbread cookies to give as gifts, to eat round the fire or to have with a hot drink.

They make the whole house smell delicious and give you a true Christmas feeling. We decorate them with sweets and icing and create houses, trains and many different shapes out of the dough. Baking is an activity that everyone enjoys at Christmas so be sure to join in the fun!

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Christmas Pudding

Puddings are famous in the UK, especially in the north as it gets very cold in the winter months. However, Christmas pudding is enjoyed by all throughout the country, in both the north and the south. Christmas pudding can be eaten in a variety of ways. I enjoy Christmas pudding with brandy butter which is like cream and brandy mixed together. Lots of people like to set alight their Christmas puddings. How? First by pouring brandy over the top and then lighting it with a match. Although make sure the fire has disappeared before having a nibble!

Mulled Cider

You probably know that British winters are not exactly fun in the sun, with short days and long dark evenings. You will feel a little chilly at times, even with a coat. Especially if you are walking around town or going for a country stroll. In this case a hot drink is a must to keep you warm.

Mulled wine and mulled cider are two very popular alcoholic drinks at Christmas time. You can prepare them yourself or buy them in a shop. Either way they are very tasty and you won’t be disappointed. They’re warm, spicy and perfect at Christmas. And if you prefer a non-alcoholic option then try warming up some apple juice with cinnamon. My son loves this and we enjoy drinking it together on a cold winter’s morning.

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So…are you a little more persuaded to try some British foods? And if you are invited to a British friend’s home this Christmas you’ll find some of these treats waiting for you. Interested to learn more about British foods and Christmas traditions? Why not sign up to lessons with Britcent and chat to your tutor about these topics? We look forward to meeting you in a class!

Vocabulary takeaway

chilly